Truphone Selects North Carolina's Research Triangle Park for Its U.S. Headquarters

DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Truphone, a pioneer in reducing roaming costs for international business travelers worldwide, is expanding into the United States and has selected Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park (RTP) for its U.S. headquarters.

Gary S. Cohen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truphone Americas, said the global mobile operator chose to base its U.S. headquarters in RTP because the area is a technology and innovation center, affords businesses efficient cost of operations and provides the quality of life that attracts great people.

"RTP is well known for its technological advancements and entrepreneurial culture and both reasons support why Truphone is here," said Cohen. "We look forward to joining the more than 170 global companies based in RTP and becoming a respected neighbor in our own right."

Truphone makes it easier for international business travelers to stay connected by slashing the cost of roaming. Being with Truphone means there's no longer the need to carry multiple phones and tablets, change SIM cards or curtail usage anymore. Truphone offers one solution – for home and abroad.

Cohen, who spent over a decade in Silicon Valley before relocating to RTP, has more than 25 years of experience leading growth efforts for technology and telecommunications firms. His background includes a healthy mix of large enterprise and start-up ventures, including senior executive positions at IBM, Nextel, Lenovo, Scient, Kontiki and Motricity.

The U.S. executive team is comprised of industry veterans from IBM, AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, British Telecom, Motorola, Ericsson and other leading technology companies. Among them is Susan Nelson,Vice President, Business Development, an RTP local who was previously recognized as one of the Triangle Business Journal's top 25 Women in Business.

The selection of the Research Triangle Park headquarters and build-out of the U.S. team marks the company's formal expansion and presence in this country.

Founded by inventor and Chief Technology Officer James Tagg, Truphone initially opened its doors on a farm in Kent, U.K., in 2006 with a handful of people and a big idea to lower the cost of mobile roaming. Now, with global headquarters in London, and additional operations in Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal and the U.S., the company has grown to employ more than 300 people worldwide.

Truphone initially gained attention in 2006 with the introduction the world's first mobile VoIP application. In 2007, it made history by demonstrating the first VoIP application on the Apple iPhone before launching a string of industry firsts starting in 2008 with applications for Apple's iPhone, iPad and the Google Android line of smartphones. Truphone has since expanded its offerings to include GSM-based voice, text and data mobile services, which will soon be available in the United States.

About TruphoneTruphone is a global mobile operator, helping people and businesses around the world stay connected, wherever they may be.